The Firebird (TV Movie 2003)

The Firebird (TV Movie 2003). 53m

“u0026#39;The Firebirdu0026#39; is short at less than an hour or so, but is a great ballet. Not just the most accessible of Stravinskyu0026#39;s ballets (musically and choreographically, especially when compared to the notoriously difficult u0026#39;Rite of Springu0026#39;) but also one of Stravinskyu0026#39;s most accessible overall works.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eEven with Valery Gergiev, who conducts Russian music better than any conductor known to me, conducting, this production is somewhat of a disappointment. Itu0026#39;s a long way from awful or unwatchable, but Stravinskyu0026#39;s masterwork did deserve better than this very mixed bag of a performance, with its large merits but just as large debits.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWhere it shines is in the musical values. Itu0026#39;s sensitively and intensely played by the top-notch orchestra, and Gergiev conducts with immense expertise and fire, the passion and very emotive (and sometimes wild) connection to the music always apparent. Some of the choreography is elegant and virtuosic, and there is evidence of emotion and passion if not coming consistently.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eRegarding the dancing, the women do fare better than the men. Greta Hodgkinson is a truly magnificent Firebird and after the orchestral playing and conducting one of the best assets of the production. The princess is very gracefully danced by Rebekkah Rimsay. The video directing is unobtrusive, expansive and intimate and the picture quality is always clear.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSound however is less good, unfortunately often sounding muffled, and lacking in vivid volume, which does undermine the intensity of especially Kastcheiu0026#39;s music. While some of the choreography impresses, there is also some simplistic and unimaginative parts as well, with Kastchei having little more than posturing.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eVisually the production throughout looks it struggled badly with a low budget, the limitations being abundantly clear in a sparse and minimalist set that fails to give a clear time and place as well as any magic, cheap props and less than enchanting special effects that would look more at home in an amateurishly made low-budget film from the 50s or 60s.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAleksandar Antonijevic dances wonderfully and powerfully, but dramatically makes for a too careful and expressionless Prince. Worse is Rex Harrington, his whole performance, not helped by clichéd and cheap costuming and make-up, is little more than un-threatening grimacing.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIn summary, excellent musically, inconsistent choreographically and disastrous visually. 5/10 Bethany Cox”